Colocasia ‘Pink China’ offers a taste of the tropics for gardeners in cooler climates. Its striking appearance features large, lush, heart-shaped green leaves borne on vibrant pink stems, creating a dramatic contrast. This vigorous, clump-forming perennial can reach up to 1.5 metres in height, adding a bold architectural element to garden beds or containers.
The primary appeal for those in temperate regions is its remarkable hardiness compared to other elephant ears. While it will die back after the first frost, with a thick layer of mulch, the tubers can survive the winter in the ground. This resilience, combined with its exotic aesthetic, allows gardeners in cooler zones to cultivate a tropical ambiance without the need for extensive winter protection. Its rapid growth during the summer months provides a rewarding and impactful display.
| KEY PLANT INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial |
| Plant Colours: | Green / Pink |
| Flowering period: | Late summer |
| Mature Height: | 1.5m / 5ft |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun – part shade |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate to frequent |
| Cold Hardiness: | Hardy |
| Difficult: | Easy |
Plant Type
Herbaceous Perennial
Colocasia ‘Pink China’ is a hardy herbaceous perennial prized for its striking pink stems and large, heart-shaped leaves. Its survival through winter depends on its underground corm, a swollen, fleshy stem that stores energy. This allows the plant to die back to the ground in autumn as temperatures drop and re-emerge with new growth in spring. The corm acts as a vital food reserve, enabling this tropical-looking plant to behave as a perennial in cooler climates.
Mature Height
1.5m
Colocasia ‘Pink China’ is a striking perennial, known for its large, heart-shaped green leaves borne on vibrant pink stems.It typically reaches a mature height of 1.2 to 1.5 metres (4 to 5 feet), though with optimal, consistently moist, and nutrient-rich conditions, it can occasionally stretch up to 1.8 metres. This fast-growing “elephant ear” forms a dramatic, upright clump, adding a bold, tropical feel to garden borders or large containers within a few growing seasons.
Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Colocasia ‘Pink China’ exhibits a flexible approach to its lighting needs, flourishing in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate direct sunlight, providing it with some afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates, can lead to more robust growth and larger, more vibrant foliage. This adaptability makes it a versatile choice for various garden settings, from bright, open areas to dappled woodland-style landscapes.
Water Requirements
Moderate to frequent
Colocasia ‘Pink China’ is a moisture-loving perennial that thrives in consistently damp to wet conditions. It flourishes in rich, water-retentive soil and is an excellent choice for bog gardens, pond margins, or areas with poor drainage. This plant requires regular and abundant watering, especially during its growing season, and should not be allowed to dry out. While it can tolerate boggy soil and even shallow standing water, good drainage is still beneficial to prevent root rot.
Cold Hardiness
Colocasia ‘ Pink China‘ is one of the best cold hardy Colocasia plants you can buy. The roots can survive -7ºC in the Grow Paradise garden, but take much colder temperatures in locations further north. Drainage is key for improves survival in the colder and wetter winter months to prevent root rot.
